Effectiveness of Biologic Therapy in Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Real‐World Clinical Outcomes and Lipid Profile Evaluation
Ruggero Cascio Ingurgio, A. Alfano, Elena Matteodo, Michael Stark, Mario Valenti, Alessandra Narcisi, A. Costanzo, Dédée F. Murrell
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with systemic implications. While biologic therapies have demonstrated efficacy in controlling cutaneous lesions, their systemic effects, particularly on lipid metabolism as a marker of systemic inflammation, are less understood. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of biologic therapy on clinical severity and lipid profiles in HS patients in a real-world setting, comparing outcomes between Early and Late Responders at Week 24 ± 4. METHODS: Twenty-four patients with moderate-to-severe HS on biologic therapy were monitored prospectively at Baseline, Week 24 ± 4, Week 52 and Week 104. Clinical parameters (IHS4, A/N, HS-IGA) and lipid profiles (cholesterol, triglycerides) were analysed. Patients were categorised as Early (IHS4 ≤ 10) or Late Responders (IHS4 ≥ 11) at Week 24 ± 4. Statistical analysis included t-tests; significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Early Responders showed significant clinical improvement and reductions in lipid levels, suggesting a systemic anti-inflammatory effect of therapy. However, lipid reductions did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05); likely due to the small sample size. Late Responders demonstrated less pronounced changes. CONCLUSIONS: Biologic therapy appears to improve both clinical and systemic inflammatory markers in HS, highlighting the value of metabolic monitoring in routine care.